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What is the primary focus of a performance appraisal for nursing staff?
- A. To identify areas for salary increases
- B. To evaluate overall job performance
- C. To provide feedback on clinical skills
- D. To determine eligibility for promotions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The primary focus of a performance appraisal for nursing staff is to provide feedback on their clinical skills. This is crucial for ensuring quality patient care and professional development. Salary increases (A) are typically based on performance, but not the primary focus. Evaluating overall job performance (B) is important but not as specific as assessing clinical skills. Determining eligibility for promotions (D) may be a part of the appraisal process, but not the primary focus.
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Which of the following are important techniques when giving directions to subordinates? (EXCEPT)
- A. Know the context of the instructions.
- B. Use lateral communication.
- C. Verify feedback.
- D. Get positive attention.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Use lateral communication. This is not an important technique when giving directions to subordinates because lateral communication typically involves communication between peers or individuals at the same hierarchical level. When giving directions to subordinates, it is crucial to maintain clear communication channels between superiors and subordinates to ensure clarity and accountability.
A: Knowing the context of the instructions is important to provide relevant and meaningful directions.
C: Verifying feedback helps ensure that the subordinates have understood the directions correctly and can address any misunderstandings.
D: Getting positive attention can motivate subordinates to follow directions effectively, but it is not a fundamental technique for giving directions.
What is the primary purpose of clinical pathways in healthcare?
- A. Reduce hospital readmissions
- B. Standardize care
- C. Provide individualized care
- D. Streamline care processes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Provide individualized care. Clinical pathways aim to offer a structured approach to patient care while allowing customization based on individual patient needs. By providing a standardized outline of care steps, healthcare providers can tailor treatment plans to meet each patient's unique circumstances. This promotes more personalized and effective care delivery.
Incorrect choices:
A: Reduce hospital readmissions - Clinical pathways may help in reducing readmissions, but this is not their primary purpose.
B: Standardize care - While clinical pathways do standardize care to some extent, their main goal is to individualize care based on patient needs.
D: Streamline care processes - While clinical pathways can streamline care processes, the primary focus is on providing individualized care rather than solely on process efficiency.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a well-written goal?
- A. Goals should be vague
- B. Goals should be unrealistic
- C. Goals need to be measurable, realistic, and achievable
- D. Goals should be easy to achieve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because well-written goals need to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Measurable goals allow for tracking progress, realistic goals are attainable, and achievable goals are within reach. Vague goals (A) lack clarity, unrealistic goals (B) may lead to frustration, and goals that are too easy to achieve (D) do not challenge individuals to grow and improve. Therefore, option C is the best choice for a well-written goal.
Which of the following strategies is most effective for reducing medication errors on a nursing unit?
- A. Increasing the nurse-to-patient ratio
- B. Providing ongoing education on safe medication practices
- C. Using barcoding technology for medication administration
- D. Increasing the use of PRN medications
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Using barcoding technology for medication administration. This strategy is most effective for reducing medication errors because it helps ensure the right medication is given to the right patient at the right time. Barcoding technology allows nurses to scan both the patient's wristband and the medication label to verify accuracy before administration, reducing the risk of errors due to human factors.
A: Increasing the nurse-to-patient ratio may help with workload distribution but does not directly address medication errors.
B: Providing ongoing education is important but may not be as effective as implementing technological solutions like barcoding.
D: Increasing the use of PRN medications may actually increase the risk of errors if not managed properly.
In summary, using barcoding technology for medication administration is the most effective strategy as it directly addresses the root cause of medication errors by ensuring accurate medication administration.
A hospitalized diabetic patient received 38 U of NPH insulin at 7:00 AM. At 1:00 PM, the
patient has been away from the nursing unit for 2 hours, missing the lunch delivery while
awaiting a chest x-ray. To prevent hypoglycemia, the best action by the nurse is to
- A. save the lunch tray for the patient’s later return to the unit
- B. ask that diagnostic testing area staff to start a 5% dextrose IV
- C. send a glass of milk or orange juice to the patient in the diagnostic testing area
- D. request that if testing is further delayed, the patient be returned to the unit to eat.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. It is essential to maintain the patient's blood glucose levels to prevent hypoglycemia. Since the patient missed lunch, returning them to the unit to eat ensures timely access to food for glycemic control. This action addresses the immediate need for nutrition and glucose intake.
A: Saving the lunch tray is not immediate and does not address the patient's current hypoglycemia risk.
B: Starting a dextrose IV is an option for severe hypoglycemia, not for preventing it in this scenario.
C: Sending milk or orange juice may help raise blood sugar but does not address the need for a complete meal to prevent hypoglycemia.